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Independent Business Circle  

 

Real conversations.

Better decisions.

Stronger businesses.

 

A monthly, professionally facilitated leadership circle for independent business owners who want clarity, confidence, and a business that doesn’t fall apart under pressure.

INDEPENDENT 

BUSINESS 

CIRCLE

 
Begins March 2026

Monthly professionally facilitated leadership circle for independent business owners. Meetings in Frederick, Maryland.

Apply Now

The Problem (Why This Exists)

Running an independent business is one of the most demanding leadership roles there is.

You’re responsible for:

  • Every decision
  • Every risk
  • Every financial outcome
  • Every operational issue
  • Every leadership moment

And yet — most owners are doing it alone.

Corporate CEOs have advisory boards, leadership circles, and structured peer support.

Independent business owners often find themselves in “just figure it out" mode.

That gap is exactly what this Circle fills.

How Progress Happens

Most business owners don’t need more information.

They need help making the right moves -- at the right time.

Inside the Independent Business Circle™, we focus on what I call Strategic Moves™.

Strategic Moves are: 

  • Small enough to be doable

  • Focused enough to matter

  • Timed to reduce stress and unlock momentum

They aren’t massive overhauls or complicated strategies.

They’re the next smart move that strengthens your business instead of overwhelming it.

Each month, members leave with one or two clear Strategic Moves -- not a long to do list.

 

What This Is (And What It’s Not)

The Independent Business Circle™ is:

  • A structured peer advisory group
  • Professionally facilitated
  • Confidential and trusted
  • Built for real owners with real businesses
  • Focused on clarity, leadership, and resilience

It is NOT:

  • A networking group
  • A mastermind full of tactics and noise
  • A coaching program where someone tells you what to do
  • A corporate executive club
  • A place for surface-level conversation

This is leadership support — done properly.

Ready to Apply

Member Experience & Outcomes

MONTHLY

What Happens Each Month

 

Monthly 2.5-Hour Leadership Session

9:00–11:30am (calendar at application)

Coffee, tea, and light breakfast provided.

Each 2.5-hour session is designed to help you identify and commit to Strategic Moves that improve your business in real, measurable ways.

Each meeting includes:

  • A short leadership or resilience framing to sharpen thinking

  • Facilitated conversations around real decisions

  • Strategic hot seats to work through challenges

  • Peer insight from owners who understand the realities

  • Clear commitments to specific Strategic Moves for the month ahead

You don’t leave with inspiration.

You leave knowing exactly what move to make next.

What Are Strategic Moves?

Strategic Moves

A Strategic Move is a focused decision or action that:

  • Removes friction

  • Strengthens stability

  • Improves profit, clarity, or capacity

  • Makes the next quarter easier — not harder

Examples of Strategic Moves members work through:

  • Adjusting pricing with confidence

  • Simplifying an overcomplicated offer

  • Creating one boundary that frees up time

  • Fixing a system that’s quietly draining profit

  • Making a decision they’ve been avoiding

Small moves.

Real impact.

 
OUTCOMES

The Outcomes Members Experience

Through consistent Strategic Moves, members experience:

  • Faster, clearer decision making

  • Less second guessing and mental load

  • Fewer fires and more control

  • Stronger profit foundations

  • Leadership confidence that compounds over time

  • A business that feels steadier, even during uncertainty

This isn’t about doing more.

It’s about doing what matters most.

 One good decision often pays for the entire year.

DETAILS

Framework Behind the Circle

This Circle is built on The Venture Project’s Resilience Framework, focusing on:

  1. Leadership clarity – how you think and decide
  2. Financial resilience – profit, cash flow, margin awareness
  3. Operational stability – systems that reduce chaos
  4. Customer & brand strength – predictable revenue
  5. Adaptability & risk readiness – bending without breaking

This is not theory.

These are the areas that actually determine whether a business survives and thrives.

Meet the Facilitator

Erin Pelicano Cauble, Founder, The Venture Project

Erin is a small business resilience consultant, national small business advocate, and former founder with deep experience navigating growth, pressure, and uncertainty.

With a background in engineering and entrepreneurship, Erin brings:

  • Clear thinking
  • Practical frameworks
  • Calm, grounded facilitation
  • Real world business experience

She doesn’t coach from theory, she guides from lived experience.

Who This Is For

This Circle is ideal for:

  • Independent business owners
  • Owner-operators
  • Solopreneurs and small teams
  • Retail, professional services, suppliers, trades, wellness, creative, and product based businesses
  • Owners who want clarity, not hype
  • Leaders who value thoughtful conversation and real progress

If you run a business, and feel the weight of leadership — this is for you.

FEATURED IN:

Structure & Investment

Founding Members (First 25 Only)

$290/month ($150 Enrollment Fee — WAIVED)

Standard Membership

$390/month + $150 one-time enrollment fee

Enrollment fee covers onboarding, intake, group placement, and materials. Annual payment options available.

Apply to Join

If you’re ready to make smarter Strategic Moves.

  • Apply
  • Attend a short fit conversation
  • Receive your invitation
  • Join your Circle 
This is a curated leadership circle. Applications are reviewed to ensure fit and group integrity.
Apply to Join the Independent Business Circle™

By Comparison 

Corporate CEO groups can cost $1,500–$2,500 per month, and are built for executives, not owners.

The Independent Business Circle™ is different.

Most business groups focus on big strategies or constant idea sharing.

We focus on Strategic Moves -- thoughtful, well timed decisions that fit your business, your capacity, and your reality as an owner.

That’s why members don’t leave overwhelmed.

They leave grounded, clear, and confident.

Built for independent businesses — not corporate hierarchies.

 

THE VENTURE PROJECT FOUNDER

Erin

I’m a seasoned small business advocate, designer, and founder.

With nearly 20 years of experience I bring the unique perspective of an engineer that made a career pivot to building my national jewelry brand Erin Pelicano.

Strategy, Advocacy & Brand Credits Include: Pinterest 100 Panel Guest Speaker, Fox & Friends Small Business Feature, Small Business Advocacy with Senate Committee on Small Business, Meta Leaders Network, F&TA Guest Speaker NYC, Authority Magazine, FX The Americans, Netflix Firefly Lane, Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine, Hallmark Channel, Muscle & Fitness Magazine, Wedding Chicks, Essence Magazine, BuzzFeed
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